Chapter 86: Dirty Work Is Ours
“Please rest assured. If something goes wrong, it’s our responsibility. If we catch the person, this merit belongs to no one but you.”
Chen Yang looked at Zuo Mingquan with some amusement.
“Director Zuo, I don’t like beating around the bush.”
“Although I’m not old, my experience can’t compare to that of a senior like you.”
“However, in terms of intelligence, I believe I’m no less than you.”
“Giving me merit for no reason at all—this doesn’t seem like something a person like you would do.”
“Why don’t you just say it plainly? What exactly do you want me to do?”
Zuo Mingquan was stunned for a moment, still somewhat surprised in his heart. This Officer Chen didn’t seem like a novice.
Some things aren’t so easy to fool.
Zuo Mingquan’s small eyes darted around, and he quickly said: “No, no, nothing. This is just the truth.”
Chen Yang took out his cigarette case, opened it, drew out a cigarette, and lit it in front of Zuo Mingquan.
A puff of blue smoke rose, and Chen Yang stared at Zuo Mingquan through the smoke and said: “Xiang Zhuang dances the sword, intent on Liu Bang.”
“Director Zuo has quite the nerve, actually thinking of targeting the Shanghai Black Market.”
“Aren’t you afraid of getting shot in broad daylight when you go out?”
Zuo Mingquan’s expression changed slightly, but he still said: “Director Chen, I didn’t say that.”
“I just want to catch the person.”
“Is that so?” Chen Yang’s eyes clearly showed two big words: disbelief.
Zuo Mingquan suddenly changed tack: “Director Chen, don’t overthink it. How would I dare play mind games in front of you?”
“To tell you the truth from the bottom of my heart, we’re living miserably.”
“As you know, Nanjing is just an empty shell with no money. The one ton of gold the New Government used to issue currency is now only a little over one hundred kilograms.”
“This amount of money isn’t even enough for the government’s salaries for three months, let alone supporting us in setting up a new office.”
“To be honest with you, for this trip, even the travel expenses for the guys were raised by us through our own methods.”
“Alright, Director Zuo, no need to cry poor to me.” Chen Yang took a drag on his cigarette, casually extinguished the cigarette butt, and said: “My unit is subordinate to the Ministry of Finance.”
“But everything is recorded, there’s a process, and I have no authority to allocate materials to you for emergencies.”
“You’re operating under the banner of the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee, and I don’t plan to interfere in what you do.”
“However, Shanghai’s waters run deep. The wharf, black market—these things you can’t touch.”
“If you really have the guts, I can point you to a path.”
“The risk is a bit high, but once it’s done, it’ll guarantee you can gain a foothold in Shanghai.”
Hearing this, a light seemed to flash in Zuo Mingquan’s murky eyes.
“Please enlighten me, Director Chen.”
Chen Yang calmly said: “The biggest force in Shanghai is the Green Gang. If you’re going to strike, strike the fiercest, the biggest tiger.”
“Once you take him down, will you still worry about not gaining a foothold in Shanghai?”
Zuo Mingquan’s eyes bulged, and he said in surprise: “Director Chen means Zhang Xiaolin?”
Chen Yang looked at Zuo Mingquan and suddenly laughed: “Is Director Zuo scared?”
Zuo Mingquan involuntarily swallowed and said: “Not scared, just feel it’s unnecessary.”
“Vice Chairman Zhang is a big shot in Shanghai. The New Government even invited him to serve as Vice Chairman of Zhejiang Province. Moving against him doesn’t seem appropriate.”
“So Director Zuo has times when he’s afraid too.” Chen Yang said with a slight sarcasm: “He’s just a Vice Chairman of Zhejiang Province, not the Pacification Commissioner of Zhejiang Province.”
“He’s just an empty shell, with no military power.”
“You came from Nanjing with so many weapons, and you’re still afraid of him.”
“Director Zuo, your superior is Advisor Kagesa. If something really happens, do you think he’ll sit idly by?”
“Besides, there’s me. Doesn’t Director Zuo trust me?”
Zuo Mingquan was immediately speechless, pondered for a moment, and timidly said: “Director Chen, I’m just afraid things will blow up and we won’t be able to clean them up.”
“Blow up? How big can it get? Are you going to turn all of Shanghai upside down?” Chen Yang said disdainfully: “Shanghai old-timers often say, if you want to eat big hairy crabs, don’t be afraid of getting pricked.”
“If you don’t make a move to catch them, are you waiting for others to crack the crab shell and peel the meat before delivering it to your mouth?”
“There’s no such good thing in the world.”
“Director Zuo, from City Hall southward, all entertainment venues, including opium dens and brothels, are Zhang Xiaolin’s venues.”
“If you want to make a move, there are plenty of opportunities. If you don’t dare, swallowing bran and veggies is what you brought on yourselves. Don’t come crying poor to me in the future.”
“I’ve said all there is to say. Please go.”
Zuo Mingquan opened his mouth, but in the end didn’t say anything. He slightly bowed to Chen Yang and turned to walk out.
The footsteps faded into the distance. Chen Yang raised his head and murmured: “Interesting. Trying to use me as a gun—you’re still a bit green.”
Downstairs, in the Dodge Car.
The driver was none other than Zhang Zixian, who had delivered the appointment letter to Chen Yang.
Seeing Zuo Mingquan board the car with a troubled face, Zhang Zixian quickly asked: “Fourth Uncle, how did it go?”
Zuo Mingquan took out a cigarette, lit it, took a hard drag, and only after a while said: “This officer isn’t so easy to fool.”
“We wanted to use him as a bridge, but he wants to use us as a knife.”
“He wants to borrow our hands to take down Zhang Xiaolin.”
Ah, deal with Zhang Xiaolin? Zhang Zixian couldn’t help but break out in cold sweat.
Originally, Zuo Mingquan’s goal was simple: have Chen Yang inquire about the black market situation, then use the excuse of trading with the special commissioner to extort a bit.
Although their office was poor, they had guns, and with Nanjing’s backing, they had some confidence against black market folks.
It could be said that this Nanjing Special Affairs Committee was almost the same breed as Li Qun and others from the later Seventy-Six. They couldn’t accomplish much proper business, but they were adept at kidnapping, extortion, bullying merchants, and such means.
But Chen Yang saw through his intentions at a glance and warned him not to target the black market or the wharf.
Then he turned around and had them go up against Zhang Xiaolin, even promising that if they dared to act, he’d cover for any fallout.
Zuo Mingquan didn’t know where Chen Yang got his confidence from. A Director of the Economic Department daring to challenge a Vice Chairman of Zhejiang Province.
The car was silent for a while. Zhang Zixian wiped the sweat from his forehead and quietly asked: “Fourth Uncle, what do you plan to do?”
Zuo Mingquan took a hard drag and casually threw the cigarette butt out the window: “What to do? Do we have a choice?”
“Officer Chen wants to play the good guy, so naturally we have to do the dirty work.”
“Whatever, whether it’s smelly or fishy, we have to touch it. Anyway, if something happens, someone will take the heat.”
Zhang Zixian swallowed and said: “But we still need to catch that special commissioner.”
Zuo Mingquan suddenly laughed: “Little Bao, is there something wrong with your brain? Do you really think you’re some elite?”
“Catch the special commissioner—do you have any leads? Leave that thankless task to the Special Higher Police Affairs.”
“As for us, remember: Chinese people don’t hit Chinese people.”
